"Everybody is looking for answers to get better," Coach Mike Nolan said yesterday. "But anyone who doesn't think we've made changes hasn't been watching. You can do a lot of different things with your personnel groups on the offense and that's what we're doing."

The moves haven't quite added up to a change in the 49ers' fortunes — they're taking a five-game losing streak into Sunday's game at Atlanta — but there are some signs of life in San Francisco's last-ranked offense.

Running back Michael Robinson has become more of a third-down presence, both in the backfield and split out as a receiver. Tight end Vernon Davis seems to have a more prominent role in the gameplan and Ashley Lelie, after barely seeing the field early on, has become fixture when the 49ers go to a three wide-receiver set.

Rookie wide receiver Jason Hill was active for the first time last Sunday and made a contribution during the 49ers' only touchdown drive in the 31-10 loss to New Orleans.

The changes have come through the use of different personnel groupings and injury replacements moreso than promotions or demotions from the starting lineup.

Arnaz Battle and Darrell Jackson, who is expected to return from a quad injury this week after sitting out the Saints game, remain the starting wideouts. But Bryan Gilmore, re-signed last month, and Lelie are very much in the mix, even stepping in for starters in some personnel groupings.

"I think it's made us better," Nolan said. "I think we've been more productive. I think we've come closer a lot of times."

Davis had a career-high six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown last week and Robinson grabbed the attention of coaches by turning a short reception into a tackle-breaking 20-yard gain. Hill made a nice catch that withstood a replay review, getting both feet down along the sideline before going out of bounds right in front of Nolan.

"We're spreading the ball around, not just to me, but quite a few of the guys," Davis said. "What it tells me is that the coaches are trying, and they're doing everything they can to help us win."

Along the way, Davis said he hopes to earn more play-making opportunities.

"I want to be more involved," he said. "I want to go out there and catch as many balls as I can. I want to go out there and be a workhorse."

Davis' increased role is part of an increasingly diversified approach that is giving some of the 49ers' younger players a chance.

Hill, for example, had been inactive for the first six games before finally getting on the field against the Saints, helping fill in for the injured Jackson. Delanie Walker has seen more time on the field as a motion tight end in a sub package replacing fullback Moran Norris.

Nolan said Hill likely will see more playing time going forward, though it remains to be seen whether he'll be active Sunday since Jackson is set to return.

"It was great to be out there and mix it up with the guys," Hill said. "Hopefully, I can get out there a little bit more now. We all want to get in there help this team win. That's the competitive nature of everyone."

Quarterback Alex Smith said the best way for the team's younger receivers to mature is to get on the field and play. But, he noted, opportunities come with a caveat that applies to players young and not-so-young.